Phillipsburg Council Approves New Sewer-use Rate

Lower sewer bills for residents who use less water became a reality last night when Phillipsburg Council gave final approval to a revised sewer-use charge.

The new rate is 22 cents per 100 gallons, retroactive to Jan. 1, and will be based on actual usage as measured by the Garden State Water Co.

There will be a charge of 18 cents per 100 gallons when usage exceeds 18,000 gallons in a given quarter. The water company has estimated average usage at about 16,000 gallons per quarter, which varies depending on household size.

Residential and multifamily dwellings, business, commercial and industrial users, will now receive quarterly bills. Those with private wells will have a flow metering device installed for a 14-day period each year to determine sewage flow.

Residents who fill swimming pools will be given a credit for the water used to fill the pool providing they notify the town. That notification will come in the form of a permit that can be obtained through Town Manager Peter Miller's office.

Last year's newly established minimum sewer-use charge of $130 has been eliminated.

This minimum charge had to be paid no matter how much water was used and council's hope is that sewer-use bills will now be fair to those who do not use much water, particularly senior citizens and small families.

Council went to separate sewer bills last year so that documentation of sewer costs could be provided - for themselves and for the outlying municipalities of Alpha and Lopatcong, Pohatcong, and Greenwich townships.

These municipalities have been in a dispute with Phillipsburg over sewer rates and how much they should pay toward the $15 million needed to upgrade Phillipsburg's sewage treatment plant.

In other matters, council gave certificates of commendation to Phillipsburg patrolmen Kenneth Decker and Richard Halley, and to firefighters Bruce Schofield and John Krum for their assistance, courage and bravery during a fire at 643 South Main St. on Feb. 15.

Tina Wismer and Barry Storm Jr. were trapped on the second floor of the home during the fire and Decker and Halley's initial attempts to rescue them were thwarted by heavy smoke, intense heat and flames. With further assistance from Schofield and Krum, they were able to save the two occupants.

Council also proclaimed Saturday, March 5, 1988 as "Phillipsburg Rotary Club Day" and presented the club's president, Mike Hooker, with the proclamation honoring the service organization's 50th anniversary in town.

The Phillipsburg Rotary Club was cited for its variety of community projects such as providing scholarships, vocational guidance, and foreign student exchange and international fellowship programs.

Dr. James Spillane of 1 Fairview Heights, was unanimously appointed to the Planning Board as a second alternate to fill a term that expires Dec. 31.